Hydrochemical and Biological study of surface water in Al-Kut city

Abstract

In this study, physicochemical and biological examinations of water samples were performed. These analyses included measuring the pH, EC, TDS, TSS, DO, BOD, and COD. Turbidity was also measured. Along with the primary cations and anions, heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, Pb, Ni, Cr, As, Mo, Hg, Al, Li, Be, Se, V, U, and Sr are included. The study of hydrochemistry incorporates both the geochemistry of the surface water in Al-Kut city as well as the water from the Tigris River that is discharged into the main river. There are a total of sixteen surface water samples that have been collected. These samples have been dispersed as sixteen from the Tigris River portion of the study region separately, which discharged onto the main river. In order to evaluate the quality of the water for a variety of applications, physicochemical parameters of water samples are tested, and the results of those analyses are compared to both Iraqi and international standards. The findings support the hypothesis that the pH of the Tigris River ranges from neutral to slightly alkaline. It is characterized by having slightly brackish water and an abundance of Ca2+ and SO4 =, which are the predominant ions in the water. In the Tigris River, the cations are arranged in the following order: Ca2+ Na+> Mg2+>K+, and the anions are organized as follows: SO4 = > Cl- > HCO3 -. The Tigris River in the city of Al-Kut was contaminated with PO4 3- and NO3. The concentrations of the trace elements Al, As, Sr, Mn, Fe, Li, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Mo, V, and Ba in the Tigris River are all within the acceptable limits, with the exception of Sr and b, which both exceed these limits. Trace elements appear to be concentrated in the Tigris River. According to BOD, the situation with the Tigris River is critical. The BOD and COD readings were visibly affected by the various forms of excreta that were not treated in the waste water. Because the water in the Tigris River is high in salinity (both TDS and EC) and nutrients, it cannot be used for drinking. However, the water may be used for irrigation, and its quality ranges from acceptable to outstanding.